Housing and Advocacy Organizations Applaud Enactment of Landmark Federal Disaster Recovery Reforms
Housing and Advocacy Organizations Applaud Enactment of Landmark Federal Disaster Recovery Reforms
Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, Fair Share Housing Center, and New Jersey Organizing Project Celebrate Permanent Authorization of Critical Disaster Recovery Program
TRENTON – The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network), Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC), and the New Jersey Organizing Project (NJOP) today celebrated the enactment of the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, landmark bipartisan legislation signed into law by President Trump as part of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
The legislation permanently authorizes the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, providing a reliable framework and resources to support long-term recovery efforts following natural disasters. The law also includes critical reforms designed to ensure disaster recovery funding reaches the households and communities most impacted by disasters, particularly low-income residents, renters, and historically marginalized populations.
New Jersey has experienced firsthand the challenges of disaster recovery following Superstorm Sandy, Tropical Storm Ida, and other severe weather events. Advocates say the reforms included in the legislation will help communities recover more quickly and equitably while better preparing for future disasters.
"We are thrilled that Congress has adopted the 21st Century Road to Housing legislation, after decades of federal inaction that has hampered housing development and hamstrung disaster recovery in New Jersey. Garden State residents know all too well that disaster recovery is often a marathon, not a sprint," said Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey. "This legislation creates a more predictable, transparent, and equitable recovery system that will help communities rebuild affordable homes, restore critical infrastructure, and ensure that our most vulnerable residents are not left behind. By permanently authorizing CDBG-DR and improving how recovery funds are distributed, Congress has taken an important step toward making disaster recovery faster, fairer, and more resilient."
""It took me nearly four years after Superstorm Sandy to get my completely devastated home rebuilt through a CDBG-DR-funded program in New Jersey. Ida survivors are moving slowly as well. It will be five years since Ida this year and none of our members have completed their rebuilding to date," said Jody Stewart, Storms Organizer for the New Jersey Organizing Project. "This CDBG-DR funding is so critical to getting working-class storm survivors’ home, but for years it has moved so slowly that it has caused struggles and hardships. Making CDBG-DR a standing fund for at least the next three years is a huge step forward and will allow these programs to support survivors and communities faster. But we need two more things. One, we need this to be permanent beyond three years. Two we need Congress to act immediately to put money in this fund, both for our storm and fire sisters and brothers in Los Angeles, or in the Texas Hill Country who have yet to see this critical funding, and for any future disasters moving forward."
For decades, Congress has been required to authorize CDBG-DR funding after each major disaster, often resulting in delays that slowed recovery efforts for families and communities struggling to rebuild. The Reforming Disaster Recovery Act establishes a standing disaster recovery fund, improves transparency and accountability, strengthens civil rights protections, promotes resiliency and mitigation, and prioritizes assistance for households with the greatest recovery needs.
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act shows a real recognition from leaders in both parties that the housing shortage is driving up costs for families and holding back economic opportunity. By boosting housing production, curbing harmful institutional investor practices, and cutting unnecessary barriers to development, this legislation takes meaningful steps toward making housing more affordable," said Adam Gordon, Executive Director of Fair Share Housing Center. "We're particularly grateful that Congress included the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act in the final package. As climate-driven disasters become more frequent and severe, we can no longer afford a recovery system that deepens existing inequalities. The Reforming Disaster Recovery Act will help ensure that federal disaster aid lives up to its promise of helping all communities recover—not just those best positioned to navigate the bureaucracy."
Among its key provisions, the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act creates a standing disaster recovery fund to expedite assistance after major disasters, requires meaningful public participation in recovery planning, strengthens data transparency and oversight, protects fair housing and civil rights, and establishes a new Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help communities better prepare for future disasters.
About the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ
The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey is the statewide association of more than 275 community development corporations, individuals and other organizations that support the creation of affordable homes, economic opportunities, and strong communities. For more information on the Network, visit www.hcdnnj.org.
About New Jersey Organizing Project
The New Jersey Organizing Project (NJOP) is a community organization originally founded by Superstorm Sandy survivors in 2014. Today, NJOP focuses on broken disaster recovery systems across New Jersey’s Southern and Central suburban communities, including Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Ida, economic security and dignity, and the overdose crisis.
About Fair Share Housing Center
Fair Share Housing Center is a nonprofit advocacy organization that uses legal, policy, and community-building strategies to dismantle decades of racial and economic discrimination in New Jersey and nationally that excludes people from the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, and affordable housing.
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